Community catches holiday spirit of giving

A big thank you to JoAnn Sheerin for allowing the Do Drop In homeless shelter to stay a little longer until a more suitable location is found. I told each of you to believe - and see, miracles do happen. A special merry Christmas to Mrs. Sheerin for making others warm and safe during the holiday season.

Today, with the help of Carson City Sheriff's Department, Deputy Dan Gonzales, Harley-Davidson Financial and the Karson Kruzers, we will go to Wal-Mart to take 85 teenagers from various middle and high schools in Carson City shopping.

This annual event helps deserving students throughout the school district get a little something for themselves. In most cases, they never buy for themselves, but for others.

Next year, Deputy Gonzales and the Carson City Sheriff's Department are going to start a bigger program aimed at teenagers and getting them items for Christmas.

I want to give one more congratulations to Candice Mondragon for really stepping up to her senior project to help local teens have a better Christmas and to Hannah McIntosh at Vital Signs for getting donations dropped off. Also, thank you to all the Soroptimist International of Carson City members who donated gift certificates, and to Jeff Creelman for donating a large check.

All of this in seven days - pretty impressive. "Toys for Teenagers" will be accepted until Tuesday.

Drop them off at Vital Signs, across from Gottschalks.

Candice

Mondragon's Senior Project 'Toys

for Teenagers at

Christmastime'

Where: Drop donations off at Vital Signs, 1400 S. Carson St.

Contact: Candice Mondragon at KBCA from noon-5 p.m., 885-8847, ext. 138; or Hannah McIntosh at 884-2990

First Presbyterian Church will gather for the "Vigil to End Homelessness" on Wednesday. This is the longest night of the year - the winter solstice - so come show your support for ending homelessness.

There will be a blanket-and-sleeping-bag drive. Items donated will be handed out to several social services and shelters. A community dinner will be served prior to the vigil.

A big thank you to the Dorways for all their hard work for the homeless. People always ask me at my Carson City School District Clothes Closet why I have so many sleeping bags. Some of the students I help live in motels or hotels and sleep on the floor. A warm sleeping bag is a welcoming bed for those who don't have one.

First Presbyterian Church's "Vigil to

End Homelessness"

Where: Capitol

When: Dinner 6-7 p.m. followed by the vigil at 7-8 p.m. Wednesday

Contact: 882-1032

A big thank you to all the women involved in the fourth annual Soroptimist International of Carson City's "Whole Child" lettermen's jacket for Carson High students.

Soroptimists secretly select four students in academics, athletics, band and drama to receive lettermen's jackets.

Carlos Mendeguia nominated Bryon Wilson, who will receive the athlete lettermen's jacket for 2005-06.

Congratulations, Bryon, not only for being a great student but also for working very hard on your academics achievements.

Thank you to Bryon's coach, Coach Mendeguia, for making sure he received such a great honor. I also want to thank Shelly Stewart from the Xpressions shop, who has the jackets handmade for each recipient.

Recipients are still being sought for lettermen in academics, band and drama.

Soroptimist

International's

lettermen's

jacket program

Where: Submit an essay for a student or by a student on why he or she would like a lettermen's jacket to teachers Karen Chandler in drama, Brian Reedy in academics and Felicia Wirgau in band

When: Until the end of school year 2005-06; students must be a sophomore or junior to apply

Cost: To purchase a hand-made jacket for your own child, Shelly Stewart is offering a 10 percent discount. Her number is 882-8020.

Merry Christmas to you all.

n If you would like your information included, please e-mail me at kimriggs@att.net.